AIDS Garden of Reflection to blossom red all year round at Canberra's National Arboretum
Four new gardens officially opened today and are the first of an eventual seven that will form the Gallery of Gardens. The AIDS Garden of Reflection was declared open with a song from Canberra's Gay and Lesbian Choir, Qwire.
"[It's been] 23 years in the making for this garden," AIDS Action Council ACT chief executive Philippa Moss said. It serves as a permanent memorial to those who have died of AIDS and comes after a five-year fundraising effort. "When it'll be all grown up, it'll be a private, secure, secluded, lovely space," Ms Moss said. "There's been a community group of HIV-positive community members who have been working really tirelessly to get this happening."
The gardens include 156 new trees, stone walls, sculptures and spaces for people to sit. Chief Minister Andrew Barr officially opened the garden.
Photo (c) Tom Lowrey ABC News